with leader, led 4th, headed 3 out, weakened from 2 out
in rear, tailed off 11th, pulled up 4 out
tracked leaders, chased winner before 2 out, kept on and no impression
towards rear, pushed along 3 out, never dangerous
in touch, blundered 9th, headway before 12th, challenged 4 out, led 3 out, kept on well
towards rear, fell 2nd
led to 4th, remained close up until weakened 5 out
towards rear, ridden and headway before 2 out, in 4th and plugging on before last
Nonrunner
DANANDY hasn't seen the racecourse for a very long time but Philip Hobbs is more than capable of having them ready first time out and we'll take the course and distance winner to register another success. Sporting Boy arrives at this assignment in winning form though Johnny Farrelly's charge has to prove that he can cope with a serious step up in trip. Sophie Leech won this race two years ago and of her pair, winning hunter Owen Glendower is probably the pick. Croco Mister obliged in very modest event at Worcester and while Rosemary Gasson's gelding is some way out of the weights, he is capable of taking a hand. Buck Mulligan is likeable enough and has at least dropped to a reasonable mark.
Sporting Boy (IRE) 10-3fav (11-5) Jumped soundly, made all, ridden before 2 out, pressed last, stayed on gamely, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Jun beating Atlantic Roller (11-6) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Caulfields Venture (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, 4th 2 out, driven into 3rd bypassing 2 out, plugged on same pace run-in, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Adrenalin Flight (11-0) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in May.
Buck Mulligan 6-1 (11-12) In touch, left 2nd 5 out until ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Benevolent (11-8) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in May.
Sail And Return 16-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, effort 4 out, 8th 3 out, no impression, 7th of 17, 21 3/4l behind Shuil Royale (10-5) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp lst (1) gd in Jun.
Danandy (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Held up, not fluent 9th, pushed along 11th, headway 4 out, led 3 out, headed approaching last, soon beaten, weakened flat, 4th of 7, 23 3/4l behind No Duffer (11-9) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Owen Glendower (IRE) 11-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders, challenged 4 out, led next, ridden and hard pressed when hung right flat, kept on, headed final strides, 2nd of 7, shd behind Run With The Wind (11-9) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Porters War (IRE) 11-4fav (11-3) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 11th, soon outpaced, 4th of 7, 27 1/2l behind Noble Friend (10-12) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Croco Mister (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Behind, reminders after 7th, rallied after 4 out, challenged on inside last, ridden to lead flat, kept on, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Jun beating Lord Of The Dunes (10-12) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Midnight Appeal 25-1 (10-8) Led, not fluent 1st, headed 3rd, tracked leaders, not fluent 8th or 12th, weakened before 3 out, 12th of 17, dist behind Shuil Royale (10-5) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp lst (1) gd in Jun.